EVE KAHN: I have to confess I've always been really wary of leather furniture. The only piece we have in the house is a leather desktop — I'd be too worried about damaging a sofa or chairs.

JERRY CRISTANDO: What a lot of people don't realize is that leather is actually not that hard to live with. You can protect it pretty easily from everyday damage. And if a section does get really ruined, you can get a patch made in exactly the same dye, same finish, same smooth or full grain, even the same distressed look if it's antique.

So where do I begin?

With your desk, keep a sheet of glass or Plexiglas on top so you don't get dents from your computer or marks from your drinks. In general, think in advance about where you're putting your leather pieces and how you'll live with them. Anything leather should be kept at least six inches from any heater and out of direct sunlight 'cause it'll dry out and fade.

How about everyday use?

Keep your pets off leather furniture. Don't lie around with too much of your bare skin on leather. Body oils can get into the leather's pores and make it cracked and weak. Don't sit on leather when you're wearing leather. If you perspire, the dyes will bleed together and you'll have a really difficult stain. Then you'll need to call in a professional like us.

Lincoln E-Z Cleaner for surface dirt, and Dyo Spot Remover for more serious things like ink. But don't rub in the Dyo too hard, or else you'll take out the color in the leather. When you use any cleaner, you have to wash a whole area at a time, and dry it right afterwards with a dry rag, or else you'll end up with rings.

What kind of preventive treatments do you recommend?

There are two coatings you should put on. They're both from Apple Polishes. Leather Care is a cream you sponge on. It keeps the leather moist and gives a nice protective layer. Use it every three months if you're feeling energetic and at minimum once a year. Every six months you should spray on Apple's Leather Protector. It creates a barrier against stains.

What should I do with suede or nubuck?

Brush them with a brass wire suede brush once a month, so dust and dirt don't get in the pores.

I've even seen leather used on walls and floors in really high-end interiors. Is that a trend you've noticed?

Yes, and we've been called in to treat it and deal with stains. There are special protectors for that kind of thick leather. You can get them from a leather supplier called Spinneybeck.

When is leather beyond ordinary repair?

The acids in cat urine can eat at leather. Or when it's been in contact with somebody's body oils again and again over the years. But you'd be amazed what a professional can repair. We can steam out dents, clean off mold or even smoke damage. And when we fix tears or claw marks, you can't see we've done any work.

How should leather furnishings be stored?

Make sure the room is dry and cool. Don't leave anything pressing into the leather. And wrap it in sheets or blankets, not plastic, so it can breathe.

Some leathers are more fragile than others to start with, right?

The more natural the finish — like really supple leathers, suedes and nubucks — the more vulnerable they are. Sometimes just a drop of water leaves a stain. If you don't want to worry as much, ask for a clear-coat finish. You can even put it on old leathers that you're concerned about. It's shinier and a little stiffer than natural finishes, but sturdier. Occasionally we've told people to just buy the imitations that are out there now. The vinyl fake leathers and the polyester suedes clean and hold up really well and sometimes even I can't tell right away that they're not real! *